170 COMMENTS

Hey guys Is there a thing called Left center back and Right center back? I think Mammana and Foyth r Right Center backs. Kanneman and Mori are left sided right. I mean what’s the difference. Is it considering their favorable Feat. Most of them r right footed right. What about Otamendi and Pezzella.

Yes there is. And it is mainly the way you thought. Left footed vs right footed. Also comfort on positioning, turning left or right. Otamendi often plays left centre back. Heinze, Walter Samuel played left often.

Notes:
*Romero beat out Gazzaniga for me on experience, and Armani on gut feel, plus I feel he might be a touch more accurate, though this is not based on data.
* I have taken FunesMori over Otamendi. Putting Pezella and Nico together compromise the recovery speed of the defense. I am taking the calculated risk of using Ramiro here, despite his occasional mistakes, along with German as the coach did in opening games. Nico makes my bench.
*DePaul is currently my go-to on the left. Pity is not considered right now as strong competition on the left and his continued absence has allowed his best competitor in my view to take his spot, until proven otherwise in March. Cervi was considered but I went Rodrigo on pure physical attributes.
*Messi’s return has made me put Lamela on the right where his ball hunting recovery abilities will aid Lio while also allowing both of them to interchange on the right with a bit more discipline hopefully than the potential chaos of a Messi/Dybala interchange.
*Again with the introduction of Lio, the shape will drift right naturally as can be seen. To counterbalance for this I have taken Pereyra in the b2b role over LoCelso. While Gio had a strong performance on the left mid in the second half of Brazil with a couple good shots, he seems to have a preference for the right. I feel Roberto offers more versatility including the option of sticking him right on either sideline when width is required with minimal substitutions. As DePaul cuts inside, Roberto can cover the space that opens as it is a more common area for his natural game than LoCelso.
*Parades is my lowest midfielder over Ascacibar. While Santi is obviously the better destroyer I have an eye towards the 3-4-3/3-5-2 type shapes this team flows into. In these situations, Leandro was used to drop into ‘third CB’ type positions where I have favored his length. This is in addition to his long ball directness and shooting ability that this team prefers.
*Again with the right bias on this team I considered Acuna to stretch the left more. However I chose to be conservative to start and go with Taglifico. In any case, I think Acuna for Tagliafico will be one of the first go-to substitutions that Scaloni will use whenever the game will demand width in later stages.
*If Acuna had made it in I would have taken Mercado on the right to maintain the ‘3-line’ when Marcos charges. Since Tagliafico was chosen, I have taken Saravia as his partner. This allows them to be pushed interchangeably, unlike Acuna+Saravia where, Acuna might not make it back thus isolating the middle 2.
*Icardi is my point man here. With Lamela, Pereyra, DePaul around he should see a few direct balls. Further, though he is no defensive Giroud I have seen tremendous growth in his press work and set piece defense and feel he deserves a chance. Kun will come in for fresh legs here.

As per me. Mori shouldn’t be there. If not Otamendi then Foyth, even Mammanna or Kanneman.

Romero well, according to different peoples taste opinions too change. At this point I would take Armani over Romero for Copa even though Romero had done justice for us but that was back then. After Copa Gazzaniga has to take over the spot too. No need to stick with Romero/Armani.

Midfield looks fine with ample experience. Lamela/Lo Celso, Perreyra/Palacios, Depaul/Pity, they all can ably back up each other. Paredes directly don’t have a backup, Ascacibar/Battaglia r not direct replacements to Paredes. He is one player who is different from all the Midfielders we have.

Obviously Messi/Dybala in tournament its rather better to avoid confusion by playing both together. Icardi is for now the go ahead man. The only thing he was missing was that Debut Goal, Now that Monkey is off his back he can be more decisive.

You’re right. Everybody see’s the same football differently. That’s what makes it fun!

To further explain my CB reasoning, I believe one of the two has to be able to be a bit more ball playing as the system often requires bypassing the middle from the back directly to the front. So Pezella’s partner has to have this quality. This is why I did not consider Kanneman. In regards to Mammana I am waiting to see how he performs after injury.

Right now Foyth only really has two total good performances at all levels. If he cracks the club lineup and keeps showing consistent performance, I agree we can take him alongside Pezella since he has good ball skills. However I can also agree to the reasoning of it being Ota and Pezella for now as I mentioned. Its a risk/reward tradeoff.

And yes, there are plenty of destroyer options including players who have not been capped yet. But I do not know of a profile similar to Parades personally anywhere in the seniors.

Why do you prefer armani ?He is so weak in facing penalties ,his positioning for stopping shots are horrible ,he is weak at punching crosses ,then why take Armani over Romero ?I will rather take gazzaniga over Armani

He may be weak at whatever, But he did achieve a near 1000 Minutes without conceding streak. He is good, sometimes looked like Invincible, Its not a Fluke to not concede for nearly 1000 minute, (Then again people may say Its Argentine league its weak league blah blah.Its is not, Be it in any league not to concede for 1000 minutes is not easy,)He saved Rivers ass in so many matches.Given time i believe he can replicate his River Form to the NT. Even Vargas told under Armani there was times Colombia may not score at all. (Well I know its just fancy words from a Youngster but it is what he said)

Romero is also weak in almost all the above mentioned(Don’t tell now Romero is great in penalties, He did saved in WC but what about the 2 Copa Finals? he only save 1 penalties in 2 Copa finals combined, he is no way a penalty stopping specialist. Caballero is the real expert in penalty stopping)

End of the day its not up to us. I prefer Armani, others may be Romero because what he did for last 8 years. Which was good. but he was never a world class NT Goal keeper. not by any means. Then again different people different opinions. it doesn’t matter.

Gazzaniga looks good, As of now i would prefer him over Rulli, because he is performing better, But the problem is he may not get continuous playing time at Tottenham. hopefully he can keep up the good work,. I would like to see him play more for NT. but there is Romero no matter what most of our coaches r obsessed with him. gosh. Gazzaniga could be our GK after Copa.

I like that, except I would include Ota or Foyth for Mori, and Benedetto for Icardi. I liked what Icardi had done lately. specially with the defensive work as you mentioned. but still Think Benedetto will create the most movement in the final third.

He will not be playing as a destroyer or a wing back or a winger. At 35 years of age he can do what Pirlo did. His future with the national team is as a enganche. If he aims for 2022, he will maintain his fitness , which is excellent. Barring unfortunate injuries I am 100% sure that even at that age he can deliver better than most youngsters.

True, this Argentina team doesn’t deserve Messi, Banega, Aguero or Di Maria. These players should just stay away even if the coach and fans keep calling them back. If they come back and then they don’t win Copa America then again the blame will fall on these wonderful players. They should stay away as far as possible from the Argentina team and let the ‘future’ play. Messi should never come back to team, it is unfair to him and his talent to come play for a national team that doesn’t have a philosophy, structure of stability. He will go down as the greatest of Modern Football even if he doesn’t play with Argentina. Barcelona respects him, Spain respects him and he being 31 years old, with most goals for national team and only behind Pele in club records he should stay away from any team that looks at with him without respect.

Dear Mundo Friends, i guess now is the best time to vote for the Coach, 23 squad, and Starting 11

With the help of Ebo, Gonzalo, Godin, Mrinal, and Cox, we’ve completed the full list (if i missed player, ill add him and i’ll happily change my name to “dumbass” for a week lol) Please don’t try to game the survey, let it run its natural course.

Heres the link but I excluded the full URL since it will have to be approved by admin and that can take 1 or 2 days so im avoiding

Lio is my second favorite footballer of all time (almost up there with Diego) but I’m not ashamed to say that I don’t want to see Messi back until copa has concluded! I want to see how this team fares without him in a high competitive atmosphere, because we all know that the second Messi comes back then it’s back to the same ol’thing again.
Now I finally got to watch the mexico game yesterday and to be honest I wasn’t impressed the least bit, there was no urgency from most of the players, no fluidity in the passing and frankly -apart from Dybala’s goal- the attempts at countering were poor at best.
However despite all the negativity there are a few positives to be taken including the fact the this team is defensively solid, the players seem to be tight and dybala/Icardi have now broken their ducks.

Is winning copa 19 important? ofcourse but so was winning copa 15 and 16 and because Argentina was so focused on winning those tournaments they forget to build for the future and WC18 sadly happened.
Many of you are calling for Kun, Maria, Banega, Otamendi and Romero and you know what I wouldn’t mind that at all as long as they’re on the bench providing support for the next gen, coming in when the starting players are struggling but to have those players starting would mean putting the copa win ahead of the rebuilding project and that would just be a repeat of post WC14 period that lead to last summer’s disaster.

To cut a long story short, give the new kids a chance and I mean a PROPER chance where they get to play in a competitive tournament and have some of the old guards there on the bench for backup if necessary and let Messi come back only when (and if) argentina manages to build a team worthy of wearing the shirt, a team that can bring out the best in the best of them all (lio Messi).

Any coach in the world will put his best players to start. No coach in the right state of mind will leave his best players on the bench just to see how his new players will fare while in a major FIFA tournament, WE have training session and friendlies for that. What we accomplished during the last 3 or four months with the new generation? the most advantage WE accomplished is that ,now the door is wide open to new younger generation of players and they are here to carry on the story of the albiceleste. Scaloni will def. put the best to play regardless of names. Painting the seniors as dictators is absolutely unfounded fact.

Who said they’re the best? Who said that Aguero>icardi or Otamendi>Foyth (neither start at their club) or Banega > Paredes etc…? If they were the best then they would’ve won atleast 1 out of the last 4 tournaments and please read my post carefully, I didn’t paint anyone as a dictator, but if you honestly believe that starting the same guys who failed in the last 4 tournaments will somehow magically win copa 19 even though they’re all past their prime then you have a rude awakening coming your way.

Who said they’re the best? Who said that Aguero>icardi or Otamendi>Foyth (neither start at their club) or Banega > Paredes etc…?
All the normal people in this football world says that. At present they are better. But of course after Copa, who knows!?

who are those ‘normal people in this football world’?
Let’s give this younger gen a chance to prove themselves in a tournament setting before we write them off and revert back to the old well shall we.

These country bound Argentinian fans always suck they are just like Argentinian media that is why their country sucks too(getting the largest loan from world bank to recover financially).They do not know what is best for them and always ready to complain or hate.They call old guards losers but their old guard reached three final in a row their new generation will never accomplish this again.

@ mamuoun
You have good point
Personally I want the youth
Given chance I believe if the
Youth play copa without no pressure
And high expectation can shock
And win copa ..
I don’t see why we need to
Go same road over and over
Again.. for me in football
Argentina comes first
Regedles which players re there

I love aguero and banage
I believe they never had
Proper chance for the Nt
As much as higuain and di Maria had. But I don’t want them to be
Back cose we have young team now
I want the young team to grow
Stay together gel as team
Play without pressure enjoy themselves and shock the world

until the others play better, they are still the best, maybe in 2 years they will be better and play better. TODAY THEY ARE THE BEST. COPA19 is in 7 months, not 2 years.
When you go to a sword fight, you don’t take a new sword and say to yourself, let me try if this sword is good or not. You take the best sword that would give you the edge. COPA tournament is not an experiment.
if you gonna argue about whether Aguero > Icardi or not,then no need to argue about the rest. Aguero maybe best striker in the world at the moment. many admit that.

In YOUR opinion they’re the best, but just because it’s your opinion doesn’t make it fact, I personally don’t think they’re the best option and in my opinion Icardi, Paredes, pity and even foyth are better options.
7 months in football is a hell of a long time, footballers rise and fall in matter of 7 months.
You might want to take a sword that failed you in the last 4 duels but me personally if I lost 4 fights with one particular weapon, eventually I must realize that maybe this sword isn’t giving me the edge I need and it’s time to try something new.
Kun is a great striker, no argument but I don’t think he’s the best striker in the world or he’s even better than Icardi, but like I said I wouldn’t be against kun being there on the bench should Icardi crap the bed.

If there’s any prove wheter the oldies are or are not still best it’s their last NT performances. So all we know is they are really disfunctional. They lost horribly last WC, were poor in qualifiers and friendlies. All that under 3 coaches. So, to say they are still the best is just statement not only without prove but exactly in spite of facts.

Whatever is Kun or other player doing in his club has no matter because he proved that so many times his NT performances are irrelevent to club form. Besides Icardi and other new NT players also shine in club. But the club level doesn’t matter much here. What’s matter is NT and the oldies were horrible in last 2 years so you can’t say they are our best.

I threw total support for the new generation and was waiting for the last mexico match to see how the team will function as a whole, I mentioned before the first match that keeping introducing new faces will not help in developing cohesion, What I saw, everyone saw, not one player was consistent in all the matches, their level was up and down. they were not given enough time, They don’t have enough time, they need time, for sure. but WE do not have that time before we go to Copa, and I am against going to COPA with what WE have. Having Messi alone will put the pressure on him again, and the new generation players will look for him again. and WE will fail again, He is not a magician. I think at this moment many of the seniors are needed because I have not seen a team that can win a major tournament and 2 more friendlies will not magically fix everything.
If there is no COPA coming, I would not ask for any senior to be included because time is available, but its not. and yes from what I seen, some of the seniors are still better than what we have. people talk about Meza missing passes, he missed 5 passes and played 73 minutes, LO celso missed 4 passes in the last match, he played 30 minutes. no one is talking about that. The only player that was somehow consistent in the 6 friendlies was Paredes. WE did not play a real competitive match except Brazil match and the defense very good, The team did well, but we failed in attack. WE are not ready for COPA. having some seniors back will not disrupt the rebuilding process.

Winning a cup is the only way to see a ‘good team’ or to see the ‘best players’? Come on, you are better than this. Johan Cryuff’s Holland didn’t win a cup but look at the way they played. Don’t denounce on the basis of winning, see how they played football, see how they put Argentina at the very top, without winning a single cup. For me Argentina played the most beautiful football from 2007-2016. Accept it, there is no shame that they didn’t win a cup.

“who are those ‘normal people in this football world’?”
People who are football fans and not specifically Argentina team fans.
“Let’s give this younger gen a chance to prove themselves in a tournament setting before we write them off and revert back to the old well shall we.”
Where did I write that we shouldn’t give chances to young generation? Show me. I’m just telling that we shouldn’t discredit the efforts of some players and escape from reality just to convince ourselves.

The Irony is even if some of the older guys r brought back, We will still not win it. We can’t again and again go back to the older players. What is happening now it should have started after 2014 WC then Tata holded back because 2015 Copa was near, after we lost 2015 Copa then there was 2016 Copa so again the generational change didn’t happen, then in 2017 it was crunch Qualifiers so and so it carried till 2018 and we got what we deserved in the WC 2018. A humiliation because of the stubborn minded Coaches.

We can’t repeat same mistakes again and again. Forget about the so called Club performances by Biglia, Aguero, Di Maria we have seen that before too so many times. They won’t help us anymore. It’s okay that some may think that the Older guys will help us to win the Copa but it’s a lost cause.

Having Paredes,Pezzella, Saravia, tagliafico,Ascacibar,Palacios, Icardi,Dybala,Lamela,Preyera,Martinez,Benedetto,Pavon,Acuna
is considered going to COPA with OLDER PLAYERS?
Some need to stop implying that calling for some seniors to be back to the team means dropping all the younger players,It will be impossible to do so.

The NT driving force is not the seniors anymore, It is the new generation

See, The best Argentina teams played from 2007 to 2016, yes they have not won a ‘CUP’. Look at Johan Cryuff’s Holland, Zico’s Brazil, they played beautiful football, the same way this Argentine generation played the best. And about 2018 World Cup. With in a Span of two years, we had, Tata Martino, Bauza, Sampaoli and now Scaloni, five coaches in two years and now the blame is on Messi, Banega, Di Maria and Aguero?

These players are 30 or 31 years old, I agree but didn’t they play the best football for Argentina? Before throwing this people in ‘GARBAGE’ or ‘TRASH CAN’, please learn to accept their contributions to the team. Messi has been to four competitive finals, 2007 Copa America, 2014 Worlc Cup, 2015 Copa America and 2016 Copa America. Tell me one team that achieved such competitive streak over the past 15 years, playing in four finals? Is winning the cup that only matters? Anyway, let there be haters because in a time when people look past the way they have come, they sure will have no clue where they are going.

@Fernandez, who told you what is in my mind or in my heart? Do you practice some kind of black magic?

Here everybody has the right to express their own thoughts; you can like it or hate it but never ever try to impose what you like on me. The guys I talked about took their time and failed to deliver.

You want Di Maria, Banega, Rojo, and Higuain to be in the team once again. This has only one meaning – you don’t want Argentina to succeed coz we all know how their performaces were and what they achieved. How in the world you want to watch beautiful football and at the same have these guys in the team?

You always talk about what you call “smooth transition” but the way you think of it is not the right way. Scaloni’s project is really going well if he is left to do his job without interference.

If you are one of those who are crying for certain old players I think this Argentina team isn’t yours.

“You want Di Maria, Banega, Rojo, and Higuain to be in the team once again.”
Where did I mention Rojo and Higuain? I don’t want Di Maria at all. But I think one of Di Maria/ Banega will be selected.
I repeat again that I only want Messi, Aguero and maybe Banega(sub) to return in team.

“You always talk about what you call “smooth transition” but the way you think of it is not the right way. Scaloni’s project is really going well if he is left to do his job without interference.”

I honestly hope that it goes well and Argentina wins the Copa with or without Messi. But as of now, I think we need a blend of experience and youth as its always been like that. You can’t remove the players who are still the best and experienced instantly.

@Fernandez, who told you what is in my mind or in my heart? Do you practice some kind of black magic?
No I’m not a black magician. Through this sentence I just wanted to tell people that even those folks who think that young players will be uncomfortable with Messi and Aguero aren’t. Even the young boys want Messi to return to the national team.

“If you are one of those who are crying for certain old players I think this Argentina team isn’t yours.”
Absolutely not. I always support the blend of youth & experience and Argentina team no matter what.

“never ever try to impose what you like on me.”
I never do that. But please don’t say anybody a loser, because they have achieved way more than us in their lives. They really have given their everything to win for beloved Argentina.

Agree for most part but there will be only 3 wing backs not 4 so one will be dropped … probably between acuna and Saravia.. extra space add pity Martinez or maybe angel Correa. Would love for gallardo to coach

Our new Argentina conceded just one goal yet under Scaloni… that’s awesome we just need to improve the attack. We have still the worlds best attack (Messi Dybala Icardi Lautaro Aguero) we have a more then average to good midfield now (Lo Celso Palacios Paredes Battaglia Lamela Pereyra)
Let’s just be happy and enjoy 😉

I can Scolani has been using these friendlies to improve the national team defence which was beyond horrible in recent World cup. I think overall he did a good job. Stats proof that and the only goal conceided was against Brazil who played with their best players.

Sure there were some mistakes but even teams like France and Germany had defensive error at World cup final but if you have good defence, it will minimalize the defensive error over the course of the game. In recent World cup, it feels like opponent can score at any time.

Now its time to improve the attacking prowess. With DYbala and Icardi finally scores, hopefully their confidence would be finally there.

“I don’t want Messi to come back.”
Godin, my Friend. This was not expected from you.
A few days ago you said that Argentina should play beautiful football and not be like Uruguay. It is only possible if Messi returns in the team now. If Messi is INTEGRATED in a system rather than BE a system, we’ll play beautiful football again. I have full trust in most of the kids and Messi.

maradona fans love Argentina but hate messi because they know messi is the best ever and maradona will be forgotten if messi lift the world cup reason they don’t want messi come back, at 35 in 2022 messi will be still top 3 best player in the world along with mbappee and neymar and contribute more than kolose at 36 in 2014 but they are criticising messi to save maradona ass, like Sachin lift the world cup, messi will also lift

NO, It is possible to play beautiful football without Messi, there will always be that one or 2 players that add weight to any team, but Where are those players,now, today. not six month FROM NOW, not one year,not 2 years, Where are they? We should use what WE HAVE NOW. not wait and say, WE will be alright in 6 months because the current players will be sufficient to do the job, I did not get impressed with what WE have to the point to say that will compete effectively for COPA19, that is very clear to all, but to act as if WE guarantee to go through qualifiers and win WC2022 without smooth transition from one generation to the next, is wishful thinking.

this bad comedy about fighting here about those who want Messi back and those who don t want is
really tragic anymore.

TO THOSE WANT MESSI.

Guys Leo is the best player in world. this is fact.
it is not logic to attack to others because they make critic to the team because our team didn t work well last years with Messi. if somebody make critic to Messi that does not mean he hate him for God shake !!!

Messi will not be for ever. Argentina was big before him. Argentina is big with him and Argentina will be big and after him.
it is not bad to start imagine our team without Messi.
sooner or later it will be reality we like it or not.

TO THOSE DON T WANT MESSI.

Guys only for one reason i can understand you why to don t want the best player of world back to the team.
ONLY because you concern about the fact that everybody wait everything from Messi and they hide behind him during games.

for any other reason if you don t want Messi then you guys should go to visit a doctor.
a psychiatrist is necessary for you because you are unbalanced people.

LET GO NOW SPEAK FOR THE ONLY REASON THAT CAN BE UNDERSTANDABLE TO DON T WANT MESSI BACK.

we make one small team 5 versus 5 to play mini football.

i am the coach of team and i have put inside Ebo , Godin 11, Gonzalo , Choripan and Mrinal.

i have put orders to the team play attack with one system.
the game start and those 5 start try do what i say to them.

BUT my system turn out to be stupid and i am sleeping in bench without i understand from where the sun rises .

PLUS IN THIS MESS I CREATE in end all the players arrive to give the ball to my friend Ebo because he is the only one that know how to pass and control the ball and he make everything perfect!!!

because Gonzalo for example just know to run fast up down empty and meaningless only.

Godin 11 just know to tackle and send to hospital the opponents and he is for red card in every single tackle.

Choripan just know some things from football but he is not in level of Ebo

AND last Mrinal he is good only in head but he can t control the ball not even if he have 3 meters empty in front of him.

SO IN THIS PICTURE WHO HAVE THE FAULT ?

EBO?
WHY ?
because he is the only one that know to play football ?
EBO SHOULD GO OUT ?

is it possible for one human don t accuse me that i am shit and the rest players i chose around him which is shit too?
is it possible to say that is Ebo fault because he take the ball all time and try save us all
and because the rest players sit and just give the ball to him only?

enough i write.
who understand understands.
everybody can think.

i hope the friends i use their names to my example don t get ungry with me 🙂 🙂 🙂
friendly guys 🙂

“Messi will not be for ever. Argentina was big before him. Argentina is big with him and Argentina will be big and after him.
it is not bad to start imagine our team without Messi.
sooner or later it will be reality we like it or not.”

EXACTLY. ACT AS HE DOES NOT EXIST, AND IF HE COMES FINE,IF NOT, FINE TOO. BUT PLEASE DON’T SAY WE ARE BETTER WITHOUT HIM OR THE SENIORS, BECAUSE TODAY WE ARE NOT. Today We are not better without some of them. We will be good When the younger generation take over, Only When they are ready. Some are ready but not all of them

My friend, If I was Messi, I will tell godin and gonzalo to go play alone 🙂 Let me enjoy Antonella😍😍😍
And will invite people for martini on my yacht

It’s not about Messi, it’s about smooth transition.
They’ll never understand it. I have never seen a team who instantly removes most of the players from the WC squad which happened just a month ago. And that too players who performed well. Just changing the squad upside down. After the WC14 some of the players like Zabaleta, Demichelis, Andujar etc. graciously retired and we’re not there in Copa’16 because they weren’t the best at that time. But some of them were still there in the Copa like Lavezzi, A. Fernandez etc. But now they were not there in the WC’18 squad. Some of them like Messi, Aguero, Otamendi etc. are still there because they aren’t “the losers” as pointed by someone. But instead, still, are the best in their positions.
What I’m saying is transaction takes place smoothly, at the right time. You don’t simply ignore the best players because of the personal hate/ignorance. A time will come when Messi, Aguero, Otamendi will retire, but it is not the right time now.
And BTW all of Messi, Aguero, Otamendi, Mercado, Romero and one of Dimaria/Banega will be there in Copa’19. Simply accept and deal with it or keep crying.

Last I remember, Zabaleta was still playing under Bauza for the Qualifiers…
And I agree, throwing this “new” Argentina into the Copa is suicide! We would most likely go through as the best third place rule gives room for slip-ups, but in the quarter finals we’d most likely be eliminated.

We still need Otamendi leading the backline, Banega the midfield, Messi and Aguero the attack, Romero between the posts.

Mercado after this Copa I believe he can retire with some dignity, same with Di Maria.
But Banega, Aguero, Messi are just TOO important.

Look how one player, Banega, changed the team in the world cup! Had Aguero started, we most likely would’ve beaten France, as we had them back when leading 2-1, and after Aguero scoring our third.

Foyth, Mammana, Palacios, their time will come, but they must learn first!

Dontbethatguy
Had Aguero started, we most likely would’ve beaten France, as we had them back when leading 2-1, and after Aguero scoring our third.
I absolutely agree with you. I agree to most of your points, mate. But still people will blame the best ones and will not see the foolishness of Sampaoli.

Messi returns in March, Aguero and Di Maria return in April, Higuain and Banega in May and then during the official Copa player list announcement Mascherano and Biglia make their surprise return. Then ‘here we go again’. .
.
Now Messi only fans will start their abuse on an Argentina fan… ‘here we go again’. 😅

This young Argentina team is doing great. But dont get me wrong. We are not world class. We can only become World Class again with Messi in the mix with this team. If Messi can blend in with this squad we could actually win a WC. No one can do better than Messi for Argentina. I love Argentina and I want the best for my team.

The only was Messi, Aguero and Dybala could play together is in a 4-4-2 of such that would switch to a 3-4-3.

I had to cut the URL in since it will have to be approved but to avoid it being taken down:

sharemytactics.com/119628/

It would start as such… but move to something like this when in possession:, again with a cut URL:

sharemytactics.com/119629/

The reasoning behind this is that what all these friendlies have shown is that we have a pretty lackluster midfield. Beating the likes of Iraq, Guatemala and Mexico (who only won twice in the World Cup, scoring 3 but conceding 6). No creativity, just solid defensively. Let’s ask Uruguay how far that can get you.

Like PSG has done with Neymar, having him as a #10 to strengthen a weak midfield, and Barcelona with Messi, same with Argentina.
Bring back Banega to add creativity to the midfield, and Messi in a free role of such to strengthen the midfield. Win the midfield, we win the game!
Dybala and Tagliafico keeping the width, and a back three along with Paredes and Banega to prevent any possible counters.

sharemytactics.com/119631/

This is how Argentina would win the Copa America, against any formation, whether a 4-3-3, 4-4-2 (these tactics would work best against a 4-4-2), 3-4-3, 3-1-4-2, etc.

Don’t get me wrong but I still don’t get how you can put Dybala up with Messi and Aguero. Don’t you think in that set up, Icardi or Lamela is better, who are better position off the ball and more direct and precise. I don’t know, beyond all the Dybala mask and La Joya marketing, I don’t see Dybala as world class. His first touch is off, his off the ball movement is tacky and creating space, freeing up other players when he has the ball is so poor. He tries to move in like Messi from far wide and it works in Juventus where Pjanic, Khedira, Matuidi and the midfield generals handle the two thirds, limiting Dybala only to the final third where his left foot is good. Otherwise Lamela is far better in all aspects, positional play, on and off the ball and direct play when you see him in tottenham.

I imagine only 3 out of Messi-Aguero-Icardi and Dybala can play together! If Messi moves to the midfield as our Enganche then Lautaro can be our 4th forward in the 23 man squad . We can’t have too many attacking players doing no defensive work in the starting xi. Dybala can only florish if we use him as a striker so he shouldn’t have any difficulty playing with Messi. Luckily we have Lamela who can track back, defend and tackle at the same time press, create and score perfect fit for Scaloni’s game tactics!!

I know I will get a lot of heat for this, but I think Messi should be a sub for Argentina. My reason is, we have to try and get rid of “Messidependencia” or else this team will not prosper. The team should be proven worthy, because we know Messi is the greatest and someone must replace him soon! I hope you will understand!

I understand the point you are trying to make, “Messidependencia” is a real problem but no coach would dare to relegate him to the bench. Nor should they. Instead we have to hope that he clicks with the rest of his new teammates. I’m hoping that it would work.

“Instead we have to hope that he clicks with the rest of his new teammates. I’m hoping that it would work”

Yes, we have only hope. Let’s see wheter the circus with our youngsters deifying him in every interview will start again. If yes, I doubt they will think and act independently on the pitch having him around. Wheter they will back to auto mode? We need them on manual mode.

Scaloni needs to find way to eliminate the “Pass to Messi and Watch” horseshit kind of tactics!!! A player like Messi who is born every 100 years can’t be relegated to the bench just because other players can’t gel with him. Moreover Messi wouldn’t want the pass in the first place if others are in better position. Remember how he made every one go forward against Nigeria and Rojo scored!! He still has good 4 years of football left in him and the GOAT can still retire with 2 Copas and a world cup if the coach get things right!!

I think he will very much do so. and I think the new generation are the main force of the team,now. So Messi will have to come and integrate into the existing team, not vice versa. WE have a new team and Scaloni will have to introduce some of the seniors in our weak spots, the core of the team is not the seniors any more it’s the new generation.

Some things aren’t what they seem.
I’ll speak for myself, I want Messi back because he still has a lot to contribute to the team, no need on stating the obvious.
He has done plenty to earn him that right and ARGENTINA is stronger with him than without him.

pablo, how you been man? I don’t post as much as i once did because of all the craziness around here since before the WC.

I am as excited and happy as anybody to see all the younger talent given a chance and elated that Dybala and Icardi finally scored for ARG.
I can’t wait to see the BOSS wearing the #10 jersey again and leading these young guns to glory.

Its expected. Messi is one of, if not THE best player ever. Of course he’s going to have followers bigger than any country. Just Like CR7, you think non portuguese followers would watch Portugal match if he were not in it? Argentina has ton of international support because of the superstars – Maradona, Batigol, Aguero, Di Maria, Messi, Higuain, Icardi, Dybala. If anything, im glad, its still support for the NT and thats what matters.

I can’t blame them … haven’t you seen the last 6 games! Worst Argentina has ever been in terms of shots and possession since 1990 World Cup … now they defend and attempt .. yes attempt to counter with Scaloni … and let’s be honest… Messi is pure joy to watch and we take his genius as ordinary now…

Wrong thought my friend. A stable state of mind says that any team, not just Argentina, any team or club is more portent with Messi.
I don’t know where you get the idea of some feeling more love for Messi than The NT?
MESSI IS NOT THE PROBLEM

– Many people complained about the friendlies played in Argentina. We could played someone in one of the matches but for people followed the team know that the games were rightfully played in Argentina.
At the end of the day people in Argentina should have front seat and enjoy and bond with the team. The team did a lot of charity work in the communities during the time spent there. Many players bonded and there was a great atmosphere.

– many veteran players missing was also a good move. They could be themselves.

– crying about possession. Scaloni clearly stated in an interview before he took over that he likes to play faster 3-4 moves to the goal. He cited France and the teams that advanced far as a way he wants to play. Possession based play is not the only way to win games. Get over it.

– messi can come back, but without condition. I blieve in him.

– the older generation miscalculated the situation. They thought we will miss them and beg them to come back after we lose games without them. Just a handul blind fans beg you.

– Hope one of our younger keepers makes the position his own and plays at the club every week.

AND that what most were asking? implement a project that does not rely on him?
He gave that opportunity and stayed away, now you are saying he still put conditions? It seems once someone get an idea burned in his head, it will impossible to see the truth. Messi never puts conditions on the NT, but vice versa, they put conditions on him by demanding to win everything… alone.
The team is not Messi’s team, you got coaches and players( Young and Old) , including all the greats. last was Icardi, saying they are waiting for Messi because he is the best in the world, Why don’t they just leave the man alone. Don’t paint him as a dictator, please, I am sure this time if he comes, he will be under more pressure.

Gonzalo, I’ll echo Ebo but its contradictory to use that as negative argument against Messi when those demands are the sole reason why you even love the new team and scaloni right now. It’s a lose lose for Messi with you. If the team continued and he stayed, you would talk shit. However, Messi avoided the team and demanded a rebuild, which you fully support, yet here we are, you’re still talking shit.

I’m not talking shit. I know reality. How long are you here following what happens with identity of other players everytime when Messi is back. Reform and introducing new players without Messi around is one thing. You may succeed on this or not. But another thing is bring back Messi in a way that will not negatively impact developement, personalities and identity and feeling of responsibility of new players, new team.

So far people have not idea what way Messi needs to back to team not to make our youngsters puppets and similar identity-less pawns as the previous ones Messi’s NT teammates.

You think the reform is matter of just introducing young players and adding then Messi? Nooo. We need to change our whole Argentina NT last years philosophy.

WHile all I see is naive talk about Messi easily blending with the team just because he is Messi and Lo Celso or Palacios are considered as better ones than Biglia or Banega.

“Reform and introducing new players without Messi around is one thing. You may succeed on this or not. But another thing is bring back Messi in a way that will not negatively impact developement, personalities and identity and feeling of responsibility of new players”

You have said a great thought.

It will not impact it negatively, Scaloni is not gonna let things go that far. and that’s Why I support him. Sometimes I think Scaloni and Messi hatched this thing together. and that was his reason to keep the No.10 vacant till today, and He kept talking to him, He said that himself few times. I think Messi is desperate to have new players not to look for him like the others, and not depend on him all the time. This is EXACTLY why I think the project of building a new team that does not depend on Messi ,in my book succeeded to a certain extent, and Why I supported such project. I am sure that the young generation have put their foot on the pitch, and they are going to carry on as the main force, Messi and any other senior player is secondary, a complement, a plus. The younger newer players are the main warriors now, and that’s why I supported such project. No one can tell them to or make them go away. The new generation will form the majority of the team and that’s what I wanted.

Like that was going to be a surprise! offcourse the BOSS was coming back, no doubt in my mind about that.
Question remains, how to use him in the team so we dont go back to the way it’s been and that’s where a proper coach comes in. Messi coming back means that Kun is going to be back as well, no brainer either.
Otamendi and Romero should be included as well and that’s it, a mix of new and old is what is needed because let’s face it, a 100% new team wasn’t going to happen.

Agree with you… it must be a mixed of experience and youth… more youth but still players like banega, kun, Dimaria, otamendi, Mercado need to be on the team; not necessarily starting but on the 23 man roster

Dear Mundo Friends, i guess now is the best time to vote for the Coach, 23 squad, and Starting 11

With the help of Ebo, Gonzalo, Godin, Mrinal, and Cox, we’ve completed the full list (if i missed player, ill add him and i’ll happily change my name to “dumbass” for a week lol) Please don’t try to game the survey, let it run its natural course.

Heres the link but I excluded the full URL since it will have to be approved by admin and that can take 1 or 2 days so im avoiding

Beware rest of the World….. the Lion is coming back!
Maybe under Scaloni we will see what I’ve always wanted to see, and what was promised under Sampaoli… the best attack in the World!
Messi+Aguero+Dybala=MAD=Fire

Bro i dont hate tagliafico , he is the best LB argentina have but he will unbalance the team as acuna is fast and better crosser than tagliafico so lo celso can drift in the midfield when acuna is on wing and lo celso can play on the wing as well when acun is in defence.

We will see what happen. So far I just accept the fact. No exciting as there’s no guarantee Messi come back will give us trophy. We need new mentality, real team, balanced tasks, roles, equal deployment of responsibility…

We need to draw conclusion from past Messi’s come backs that were making people celebrating the fact itself. Now we need to be more mature and sceptic in a way that will brings real improvements. I hope Scaloni attitude of the interim period was not like: we need to show Messi the team is enough good even without him so he may feels comfortable when decided to back. Stop with policy making pleasure to Messi.

Another thing is all that questions about who will start on right wing Dybala, Lamela or Pavon are out of date if Messi really will back. I found it as really exciting the competition on right wing and was wonder of future friendlies with last Dybala goal. If Messi will back I’m sure none of Dybala, Lamela will start.

You are way too skeptical….I think it’s good to see Messi being back and that puts enough pressure on the team to play well and raise expectations. The current squad has potential but need that nudge to get where and how we all want to see them playing. My starting X1 will be this but definitely want to incorporate all the youngsters in the roster to build better chemistry…
Romero
Mercado, Otamendi, Pezzella, Acuna
Lamela, Paredes, Lo Celso
Dybala, Messi
Aguero

With Lamela, Lo Celso, Dybala, Messi all prefering the right side this line up is just Play Station fantasy. Let’s keep reality. I doubt we will start even with Dybala, Messi, Aguero together let alone Lo Celso and Lamela to that. Many reasons. None of Dybala, Messi, Aguero will not support in defence

Messi will have to integrate into the team, not vice versa. and it’s very much doable.
Lamela and Pavon can play on the wings and Messi in the middle with the striker up front. I would rather have Benedetto up front. keep Aguero/Icardi/Martinez on the bench. Dybala and Messi can not coexist unless Messi drops deeper closer to Paredes/Ascacibar/Battaglia . or drop Lamela and move Messi to the right and Dybala to the middle. the problem is as you said one of them has to track back. So why not have Messi dropping deep?
The question is, will he do that? I think he will. But if it boils down to having Dybala or Messi on the pitch, the choice is very clear.

Messi could thrive with the new midfield trio of Lo Celso – Paredes – Palacios who will take care of the midfield duties so that He don’t have to drop back. Making himself available in more lethal areas.Infact we r talking about one of the best ever footballing mind.

I just hope if he returns he could sync with the youngsters and don’t become an intimidating figure, it can happen too. But no one other than Messi should not be considered..

One thing is sure if he returns then I don’t see Dybala getting much playing time. Pity, De Paul, Lamela, Pavon, Cervi etc can still manage to play alongside Messi, but I don’t see Dybala playing along Messi. For some reason.

Let us move away from the NT, ask yourself this question:
If Juventus has Messi, Would you ask why Dybala does not Play? or Would the coach bench Messi and put Dybala in?
Think like a coach is playing a final who wants to use his best players to win.

No, that version of 4-4-2 wouldn’t work. This version just might though…
I had to cut the URL in since it will have to be approved but to avoid it being taken down, just put them together:
sharemytactics
.com
/119628/
It would start as such… but move to something like this:, again with a cut URL:
sharemytactics.
com/119629/

The reasoning behind this is that what all these friendlies have shown is that we have a pretty lackluster midfield. No creativity, just solid defensively. Let’s ask Uruguay how far that can get you. Like PSG has done with Neymar, having him as a #10 to strengthen a weak midfield, and Barcelona with Messi, same with Argentina.
Bring back Banega to add creativity to the midfield, and Messi in a free role of such to strengthen the midfield. Win the midfield, we win the game!
Dybala and Tagliafico keeping the width, and a back three to prevent any possible counters.

sharemytactics
.com/119631/

This is how Argentina would win the Copa America, against any formation, whether a 4-3-3, 4-4-2 (these tactics would work best against a 4-4-2), 3-4-3, 3-1-4-2, etc.

Think for a minute before writing aguero should be in 23 till atleast copa 2019, what will you do if icardi and lautaro will chock in copa then coach will have no option, atleast aguero will put the ball into the back of the net if he gets the chance. Aguero didnt get enough chance with NT due to higuian.

Yes, at last someone said it. He was too good during the Qualifiers, he was combining well with Messi, Di Maria and the midfield. He just got injured badly and what an unlucky player. He is one player I am waiting for.

But only Messi and Augero. Players that cost Argentina dearly that should not be allowed near Argentina teams are Rojo, Huigain, Mercado, Otemandi and finally they retired(masche and Biligia). Only Messi and Augero should be allowed to come back.

Otamendi still our best defender. He was motm against our toughest opponent, and constarly proves himself. IF you hold the WC18 against him, then you should say 100% of all players there were trash, including our bench players. Did mercado perform badly for you to say he not doing well? it’s not like we have an abundance of options are RB. Saravaia and who else?

I don’t want Messi to come back
I know some our friends in here
They don’t want Messi back
But they scare to say it cose the
Backlash will be so bad
Me I don’t care say whatever you
Want say it about me but I make
My feeling clearer

Mate you got the one wrong
I don’t even care maradona
All I care Argentina
I know when messi bk the pressure
Will be unbelievable the all media
Focus will be on Argentina
Plus those players will start panickin
They will give every ball to messi and
Hope the best
The teams will set back
Against arg it will be hard
To break down
I’m not hater for Messi but
I look the bigger picture than
Messi coming back

I see Godin’s point and yes he is right
If ( pass to messi and watch ) era is back,,,Then yes i hope he wont come back .

This is on scaloni to direct the players to play for the player in the best position … not to messi only

If you watched barcelona 2009-2010 team you will know exactly what i mean
A lot of times they used messi as a bait
And when the opponents realize this and give him 1 cm space ,,,, you know what happened

With all respect, I don’t think it’s a nice way of interchanging opinions. WE all here expressing our opinions. but WE are one family for the Argentina team first and foremost. @godin11 is one of the very well respected members here.

Sorry to say, After what I seen last night, WE don’t stand a chance to compete in Copa without the seniors, not all of them, but some.
Again, building a team for 2022 is not supposed to be on the expense of the coming tournaments!
If someone is willing to sacrifice major tournament for another tournament that they think, or just expect to win, is not a rational thinking. It’s not about Messi, it’s about smooth transition. The only thing accomplished in the last friendlies was trying out new players, there is no chemistry or cohesion between players at all, Except the somehow the defense. which keeps changing and not really tested fully. and there will be no time to establish that in 2 more friendlies.
Let’s just tell the truth as it is.

your change of thinking is a bit surprising taking into account how consistent you were on supporting new project.

‘The only thing accomplished in the last friendlies was trying out new players, there is no chemistry or cohesion between players”

But you been telling again and again if no cohesion between the new players they just needs more time and that’s really understandable. Pereyra, Lamela, Meza, Ascacibar, De Paul were playing yesterday together for the first time! So what kind of chemistry you expected. In fact as for their very first together performance they looked not that bad.

And what may change now introducing oldies between the youngsters? Sticking there in midfield with Banega or Di Maria will not improve cohesion because the old players have not understanding with the new ones too.

Absolutely! If those losers come back they will definitely ruin this new ptoject.
Wow! That shows your mentality. Calling the players who were part of the best National team in the world a “loser”. Atleast respect them for what they have given. At that time, every opposition in the world used to fear us. I fully support the Transition of youngsters, but will never understand this type of disrespect for any player who has played for our beloved team. But I know, people like you don’t know how to support and appreciate the quality.
I know, deep inside your heart you don’t even want Messi to come back.

Ebos opinion is actually balanced. Ebo is prioritizing Copa 19 and not willing to sacrifice just to experiment with youngsters and new faces. So far, during the friendlies, players and coach have not been super convincing. Against the better, teams, we suffered in attack and Im not willing to roll the dice either just for the fuck of it. We know senior players like Messi and Aguero will do well, especially with more stable defense and new players in midfield.

Bus as I said above come back to midfielders like Di Maria or Banega makes no sense because they are new ones to the current players as well and that will not bring any understanding and chemistry. It’s like step behinf from already undertaken direction. It’s better to continue with current players and add Messi.

I did not change, I went for the best option WE had. Who told you I gave up on the project, was it because I call for some of the seniors coming back for COPA? I said that before. But I did not bring back often not to disrupt the younger generation.
With all my respect, The thought of going to COPA and win without the some of seniors is an illusion. I waited for some friendlies but did not really see any potential to win Copa with what WE have, it’s clear and obvious. WE needed smooth transition that did not happen, better salvage what WE can before the Copa. And anyone who underestimate the importance of the coming Copa(s) is not truly looking for the best

Good thought, Ebo…It should be a smooth transition and the priority is to win Copa and then subsequent tournaments whether it’s another Copa and/or the WC22. Argentina NT is not going to be there to just to gain experience but instead should be aiming to win it all. That’s the weight the NT shirt carries…The team with youngsters definitely has some potential but it’s not something to be excited about since none/majority of them are not world class yet, not even at their club level other than showing glimpses of what they are capable of. I would definitely take these guys from the old guard: Romero for GK, Mercado for RB, Banega and even Vazquez for the Midfield along with Aguero and Messi obviously. All the rest from WC18 can be left out…

Again, building a team for 2022 is not supposed to be on the expense of the coming tournaments!
It’s a false propoganda. An excuse to hide if the so called “new generation” doesn’t play well in copa. Honestly, I’ve never heard these types of ideas from any other teams fans but only from some Argentina fans who are haters of past generation players.

I couldn’t disagree more man..for the obvious reason. I also dont think hell disablance the squad..thats straight up fear mongering or PSD from previous games. As long as coach has the right plan, it will work. If not, then SCALONI Is not the right guy.

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